Find unique crafts, desserts at fall show

Whether you're out to satisfy your sweet tooth or find unique gifts for Christmas, the Fall Arts and Crafts Show at the First United Methodist Church, 407 N. Bridge St., is the place to be Saturday.

The show, sponsored by United Methodist Women, will take place in the Christian Life Center and Wesley Hall from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Crafters from the area will fill 38 booths with handcrafted items such as Christmas angels, Santas, ornaments, wood and floral crafts, silver jewelry, fabric art, stained glass, and baby and pet items. Admission is free, and there will be hourly door prizes.

Country Cafe, open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will serve homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts. The bake sale will feature family favorites, such as old-fashioned applesauce cake, mom's cherry pie, apricot balls, coconut cherry drop cookies and cranberry-citrus muffins.

The pumpkin patch, on the front lawn of the church, will be open. Games and activities for children will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A small fee will be charged.

Walgreens will conduct a flu clinic from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. in the church parlor. Flu shots will be free with Medicare card or $31.99 for all others. Pneumonia shots will also be available. They will also administer free blood pressure checks and glucose screenings.

Proceeds from booth rental and food sales will benefit church and community missions. For more information, call the church at 361-578-2701.

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COCONUT CHERRY DROP COOKIES

• 1/4 cup butter

11/4 cups sifted flour

• 1/4 cup shortening

• 1/2 tsp. baking powder

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 egg

• 1/2 tsp. almond extract

• 1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries

• 1 cup coconut

Cream together the butter and the shortening. Add sugar gradually and beat well.

Add the egg and the almond extract and beat. Blend in the dry ingredients and mix well.

APRICOT BALLS

• 2 cups dried apricots (halves or pieces)

• 2 ¼ cups coconut

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

• Powdered sugar (approximately 1 cup)

• 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

Put apricots, coconut, and about 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar into the food processor bowl. Pulse to chop. Pour into a large mixing bowl, making a well in the center. Add the condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Dough will be very sticky.

Make a well in the center of flour mixture, add oil mixture and stir until flour is moist. Fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle sugar on top of muffins and bake 33 minutes.